Wyatt M. Bailey
Partner16767 N. Perimeter Drive
Suite 210
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Wyatt focuses his practice on high-stakes insurance coverage litigation, representing insurers and policyholders in complex disputes across the country. He handles large-loss and high-exposure claims, helping clients navigate coverage issues, manage risk, and achieve efficient resolutions through litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
He also advises businesses across a range of industries on complex commercial disputes and risk management matters. Clients of all sizes rely on him as outside general counsel for practical, strategic guidance that protects their long-term business interests.
Wyatt represents professional service providers, including attorneys, accountants, architects, and engineers, in malpractice matters and other high-stakes claims.
Wyatt approaches every matter with a clear goal: to give clients a realistic, strategic path forward from day one. He provides straightforward assessments early in the process and works to identify efficient, cost-effective solutions whenever possible. While he actively explores alternatives to litigation, he is also prepared to advocate aggressively when needed. As a business owner himself, he understands how disruptive litigation can be for business owners and focuses on delivering practical, timely advice so clients can stay focused on running their business.
Clients work with Wyatt for:
- Resolution of complex insurance coverage disputes and high-exposure claims
- Commercial dispute resolution through litigation and ADR
- Outside general counsel support and risk management guidance
- Defense of professional liability and malpractice claims
- Practical, early-stage case assessment and strategy
He is a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA), where he trained alongside leading lawyers, judges, and professors dedicated to developing skilled and ethical advocates.
In addition to his legal practice, Wyatt brings firsthand business experience to this work. He is a founding partner of Upward Projects, LLC, which owns and operates restaurant concepts across the country, including Postino WineCafe, Joyride Taco House, Windsor, Churn, and Federal Pizza. This experience gives him a practical understanding of the challenges business owners face and informs his approach to delivering efficient, business-minded legal solutions.
Outside the office, he enjoys collecting rare books from the 1800s and early 1900s and travelling with his wonderful wife.
- Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, J.D., cum laude, 2000
- Arizona State University, B.A., summa cum laude, 1997
- American Bar Association
- Tort and Insurance Practice Section
- State Bar of Arizona
- Maricopa County Bar Association
- National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA)
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Scottsdale Leadership (The mission of Scottsdale Leadership is to inform, inspire and empower leaders to champion and strengthen the interests of the community)
- President of Board of Directors, 2016-2017
- Present Elect of Board of Directors, 2015-2016
- Board of Directors, 2013-2015
- Member, Class 27, 2012-2013
- Local First Arizona (Non-profit organization representing a coalition of locally-owned businesses which form the backbone of the Arizona economy)
- Phoenix Magazine "Top Lawyer," 2022
- Named to Southwest Super Lawyers® list, 2023-2026
- Awarded the highest possible Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, AV® Preeminent ™ (AV is a registered certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies)
- Featured in article, "Redefining dining out: Why Craig and Kris DeMarco and Lauren and Wyatt Bailey are Phoenix power couples" Phoenix Business Journal, (October 23, 2015)
- Featured in article, "Adding Sizzle on Central Upward Projects Reheats Neighborhoods with Focus on Foodies" Phoenix Business Journal, (October 25, 2013)
- "Realizing the Rule of Law in the Human Subject" Boston College Law Review, contributed to research and writing of law review article authored by Professor Patrick Brennan (March, 2002)
- Good Faith Claims Handling in Arizona, two part lecture series presented to Arizona independent adjusters and in-house claims examiners addressing the status of Arizona law, current decisions affecting insurance in general and claims handling, what constitutes and does not constitute bad faith claims handling, and general guidelines for the handling of first party and third party claims
- Seminar on Illinois Law: The Targeted Tender Rule; The Estoppel Rule; and Conflicts of Interest in the Insured's Right to Select Defense Counsel, lecture to claims examiners handling complex and catastrophic claims about the intricacies of insurance defense and coverage obligations in Illinois. Lecture and written materials addressed independent counsel (Cumis) issues, estoppel issues and the targeted tender rule
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Apr
17,
2026
Meagher + Geer attorneys named to 2026 Southwest Super Lawyers® More...
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Apr
17,
2025
Southwest Super Lawyers® names three Meagher + Geer partners to 2025 listMore...
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Apr
8,
2024
Meagher + Geer congratulates its attorneys named to the 2024 Southwest Super Lawyers® listMore...